As SummerSlam draws closer, the plots surrounding the two World Championships have begun to thicken considerably. For the past several weeks, it seemed like the champions were well on the road to retaining their titles, handling their opposition with relative ease and a solid game plan, re-establishing their dominance at each turn. Now, though, WWE Champion CM Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus find themselves mired in circumstances potentially beyond their control as the summer classic approaches. How will the champs respond? We have a couple of ideas …

Is Punk's best big enough to beat Big Show?

John Cena and Daniel Bryan go one-on-one for the first time ever on Raw.

All the talk about the Triple Threat WWE Title Match has thus far centered on WWE Champion CM Punk and John Cena, with seemingly nobody giving much thought to Big Show… that is, until the giant flipped the script on Punk and Cena by knocking out both Superstars in the waning minutes of last Monday’s show.

Though The World’s Largest Athlete’s huge show of force officially established him as a threat to Punk’s title this Sunday, he will first have to engage in a gigantic battle of respect, kicking off Raw tonight at 8/7 CT in a match against the irate Second City Saint.

The WWE Champion is known not only for his tremendous skill and rebellious nature, but for having the ability to drop a dangerous pipe bomb at a moment’s notice. However, the earth-shattering WMD could speak louder than words for the second week in a row. If Punk hopes to walk into Los Angeles with enough momentum to overcome the incredible odds that a Triple Threat WWE Champion Match will bring, he must answer Show’s assault with a strong statement on WWE’s flagship show.

It’s also worth keeping an eye on John Cena tonight. Not only did he also suffer the wrath of Big Show last week on Raw, but as the Leader of the Cenation prepares to play such a huge role in The Biggest Event of the Summer, he will certainly look to establish his own momentum against his two adversaries.

I fought the law and the law won, fella

Alberto Del Rio has a trick up his sleeve against Sheamus during the main event of SmackDown.

Sheamus had himself a laugh on Monday after he absconded with Alberto Del Rio’s wheels and went for a joyride around San Antonio, but the joke was on him after The Essence of Excellence commissioned a squad of "police officers" to detain The Great White on SmackDown. It seemed like Del Rio had called off the “fuzz” when Sheamus proposed they settle their differences by pushing up their World Heavyweight Championship Match, but The Celtic Warrior felt the wrath Del Rio’s backup anyway after the “officers” made their way to the ring and administered a beat down on the brawling World Champion. SmackDown General Manager Booker T effectively canceled the Sheamus-Del Rio SummerSlam contest after that, but will The Mexican Aristocrat be able to wheel and deal his way back into the No. 1 contender’s spot?

You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry

AJ Lee continues to shine as Raw GM when she makes Daniel Bryan vs. Kane official at SummerSlam.

The irritable, irascible Daniel Bryan is officially set to collide with Kane at SummerSlam in the battle of WWE’s two angriest Superstars. Thus far, The Devil’s Favorite Demon has mostly managed to get the upper hand on the submission specialist, but Bryan is not one to take disappointment lying down. Now that he’s embraced the power of “NO!,” will Bryan be able to contend with the domineering Kane? Frankly, we really can’t wait to see how this one plays out.

Fist pumpin’ like a champ

Get the turntables ready and snag a few tubes of hair gel from Ricardo Rodriguez’s locker, because DJ Pauly D is coming to Raw. Straight from the shore, the reality star will be serving as WWE’s latest Social Media Ambassador for the episode. Who knows how the “Jersey Shore” breakout will be involved in the show, but personally, we’re hoping Zack Ryder will take this opportunity to bridge the Strong Island–Dirty Jersey divide and engage in the fist pump to end all fist pumps. Yeeeeaaahhh, buddy.

HBK in the house

Brock Lesnar confronts Shawn Michaels in the ring for the first time on Raw.

He's back! Just one week after he dropped by Raw in his hometown of San Antonio, Shawn Michaels will be in the house this Monday as well. We're not sure what HBK has planned for the WWE Universe when he helps Triple H make his final preparations for "The Perfect Storm" against Brock Lesnar, but Lesnar did say he would "see" The Showstopper before SummerSlam. This would be his last opportunity to do so ... How will Michaels ensure his best friend is ready for Lesnar come Sunday? What does HBK have in store? How will Lesnar and Heyman respond?